Tune in to any of the special Ramazan transmissions on any channel and you’ll be in for a surprise. The month that teaches us to purify our soul, re-evaluate our lives and practice self sacrifice through fasting has an altogether different feel on these special transmissions. One won’t see the talk or display of sacrifice; instead you’ll see monstrous sets erected specially for these transmissions, glittering prizes from mobile phones to laptop and motorbikes to cars. The hour long transmissions consist of few minutes dedicated to the talk of religion but the major portion of these shows consists of making the audience do strange acts in exchange of lucrative prizes. As the moazaan gives the adhaan the camera’s focus on the many brands who sponsor this Ramazan extravaganza. You’ll also see people lured into doing strange acts with the promise of costly prizes. For instance one of the most common practices on these Ramazan shows is the disrespect of food items. The acts are endorsed and validated by the presence of religious scholars, Naat Khawan’s and celebrities who also act as cheerleaders as the audiences go berserk to win the biggest prize available.
One gets to see everything possible on these shows. What these programs are totally devoid of is the true spirit of Ramazan, which is that of self sacrifice and purifying oneself. The essence of simplicity and modesty we are taught by our religion is all but forgotten when religion starts being used as a marketing tool to maximize profits.
But is not just the anchors, producers and sponsors of these programs who are to blame, the programs are only on air because the audience watches them, unless there is strong protest from the majority of the audience such shows will go on and so will the commercialization of Islam.
The Ramazan transmissions on most channels are designed with the sole aim of maximizing profits.
